The leader of the UK's biggest trade union has warned of a fresh wave of coordinated strikes because of continuing anger over cuts to pay and pensions which was leading the country on a "path to poverty".
Len McCluskey, general secretary of Unite, said there was a "real likelihood" of more industrial action before the end of the year, following last November's huge walkout by public sector workers over the government's controversial pension reforms.
The pensions issue remained a "festering sore" among workers in the health service, education and civil service and could erupt again in the coming months, he said.
Len McCluskey has warned of the 'festering sore' among workers
Speaking on the eve of the annual TUC Congress, which opens in Brighton on Sunday, Mr McCluskey also called for a radical change of direction to lift the UK out of recession.
Unite will press next week for a £1 an hour increase in the national minimum wage to boost low-paid workers' spending power, and for a cap on energy bills to protect families from higher prices this winter.
"Our message is growth and social justice and opposition to the government's path to poverty," he said.
A recent survey of 350,000 Unite members showed that one in eight were turning to loan companies to make ends meet every month, landing them with spiralling debts.
A flag is held up as thousands of striking public sector workers take part in an anti-cuts march in Manchester in 2011
"It is frightening that so many workers are having to use loan sharks because it means there is a debt disease spreading across the economy.
"The minimum wage should increase because if low-paid workers received an extra £40 a week they would spend it, not put it into some fund in the Cayman Islands.
"The government should also be spending up to £6 billion to build 100,000 new houses, which would put thousands of construction workers back in a job."
Mr McCluskey said resistance to the government's policies was "long term", predicting that protests will increase as the next general election gets closer.
Calls are expected to made at the TUC Congress for coordinated strikes, which Mr McCluskey said he will support.
The Unite leader has previously backed civil disobedience, and said communities across the country will be "shocked" when the full extent of public sector cuts becomes known.
"I am not quite sure how that will manifest itself. The government seems deaf to calls to change its programme, and I can foresee a breakdown in our communities. That is incredibly dangerous and anything can happen.
"We are trying to channel that anger into peaceful protests and demonstrations, but I fear for what is happening in our society."
Mr McCluskey said public sector workers had endured a three year pay freeze and faced another two years without any increase, leading to growing numbers of low paid people having to rely on food banks.
"That is scandalous. The attacks on public sector workers are unfair, and our members remain furious and angry. There is a real chance of coordinated industrial action, if not this winter, then early next year.
"There is a view that strikes are a waste of time, but I reject that. When people feel something is wrong, we have to protest. What else are we supposed to do? Shrug our shoulders and say taking action is not going to make any difference?
"When enough people march or take strike action, it has an impact."
Mr McCluskey said Unite spent 95% of its time dealing with companies in a constructive and amicable way, but he warned that some firms were using the current economic climate to try to reduce workers' terms and conditions or de-recognise unions.
He warned ministers they would "rue the day" if they introduce restrictive laws against unions.
Mr McCluskey also revealed that membership of the Labour party among Unite members was probably at its lowest ever figure of around 12,000, which included 2,000 recruited this year through a new campaign to attract more people into the party.
Unite, which represents 1.5 million workers, had seen a lot of activists become disillusioned with the party, especially in its new Labour period, and resign.
"I almost did myself," he added.